Postgame Avs-Sharks: Was it a dirty hit on Landeskog?

SAN JOSE – Brief blog here, as yours truly has a 6 a.m. flight with a connection in another city, on way to Edmonton tomorrow. Good times.
The hit on Landeskog today: I don’t know, I’m a hockey purist in the sense that if a guy has his head down a bit or doesn’t see a hit coming (but I’m not talking about a guy who has his back turned), then a big hit on him is fair game. But the rules have changed, whereby hits that target the hit or where the head was the first point of contact are subject to a suspension. By that definition of the rule, Brad Stuart probably deserves a suspension for his his on Gabe Landeskog today.

But I have a feeling the league will look the other way on this hit, primarily because Landeskog emerged not seriously hurt. Is that inconsistent and a double standard? Of course it is. That’s why this is the NHL.

Here is Landeskog after the game talking about the hit and the game in general, which was misery for the Avs from start to finish:

Landeskog sort of sounds like I feel. Did I adopt his opinion after I shot this not-very-good video? I don’t think so. It’s the way I’ve always felt about this stuff.
However, I do think that the refs overreacted in giving Ryan O’Byrne 19 minutes in penalties, including two minutes for instigating while wearing a facial shield. Give me a break. That rule is hardly ever enforced, and it shouldn’t have been here. A guy makes a huge hit on your captain, you have to fight that guy right away. The refs acted liked they forgot about 100 years of hockey history and honor code in this case.

About the game itself: the penalty killing was awful, obviously. The play in front of the net was brutal, with Sharks players having all kinds of time and space to make passes and put home rebounds. Could Ryan O’Reilly help things in this department? Yup. Will he re-sign with the Avs? I don’t know right now, but here’s my latest opinion on the matter.

I have no idea how this story ends right now. But based on past history, it doesn’t seem likely to be a happy one.

Put yourself in Stuart’s position on that play: he’s lining Landy up for a big hit, and the guy he’s about to hit isn’t watching out for himself. What’s Stuart supposed to do, fall over backwards to avoid him? Drop to his knees to make sure he hits him in the chest? I didn’t see an elbow until the follow-through and he didn’t leave his feet before contact… therefore I don’t consider it a dirty hit. Because there was contact to the head, the league will look into it, but I doubt there will be a fine or suspension, because even though there was obvious contact to the head it will be hard to prove that the head was targeted. The suspensions don’t always make sense to me, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised either way.

Regarding O’Byrne, yeah you don’t see those extra minor penalties called that often, but that’s in large part because most fights don’t start the way that one did. O’Byrne kind of sneak-attacked Stuart and the refs don’t like that… I think if O’Byrne drops the helmet and approaches Stuart from the front and challenges him, you’ve got matching fighting majors and no big deal. I’m glad O’Byrne stuck up for Landy right away but failing to remove his helmet first is bush-league.

Paul

First of all, no someone isn’t supposed to fall over to avoid them, they are, however, expected to hit with their shoulder, and in that situation, directly to Landeskog’s chest. You don’t have to drop to your knees to hit somebody with your chest even with the height difference. You bend your knees and you thrust into the opponents chest. With your shoulder. Not your forearm which is what Stuart used, directly to Landskog’s face. Regarding his feet, it’s unclear whether he left his feet right before or during the hit so that is hard to determine. And O’Byrne sneak attacked Stuart? Are you kidding me? If you hit somebody like that and don’t have your own head up to see if there’s about to be a fight then you’re an idiot. When you are defending your teammate you are in the moment and you don’t have time to drop your helmet before going after the guy. They both had face shields on it’s even. People like you who don’t even know hockey, mostly because you probably have never played it, that really make me upset.

Jimbotronn

So sorry to make you upset! I’ll go play some hockey and get right back to you.

Lauren

I play hockey several times a week, I’d say I know the game pretty well. But we do not take off our helmets before scraps, sometimes scraps just happen. Your passive aggressive comment of not knowing anything about this obscure rule– though if we play hockey, we should, is pathetic.
Also it does matter if the other dude is wearing a visor. It’d make way more sense if OB got that seldom enforced visor instigator IF he was wearing a huge shield like Heatleys and Stuart was wearing no visor at all.

Jimbotronn

Once again, just read the rule. It DOES NOT MATTER if the other player involved is also wearing a visor. It’s only a penalty if the instigator of the fight is also wearing a visor that he does not remove before the fight.

I can see debating over whether the hit was clean or not, but the rule on the O’Byrne fight is cut and dry. There are methods of avoiding the instigator rule, and O’Byrne didn’t use them. As I wrote before, I’m happy O’Byrne stuck up for his captain, but he deserved those penalties and hopefully next time he will be smarter about it.

Mario

You’ve played hockey for 15 years?, sorry but playing NHL hockey videogames from EA Sports doesn’t count…Hard to believe that you claim to know the rules of the game when everybody knows that the NHL is trying to cut down the amount of dirty hits to the head!

EnzoSin

Jimbo, seriously. Just stop talking. SMH. (It’s a lot to ask i know.)

Jimbotronn

No.

Chantal

I disagree with you. There was nothing wrong with Stuart’s hit. Landy had his head down and he got caught. He will learn from this.

O’Byrne didn’t sneak attack, I agree, and he did the right thing. It was up to our penalty kill to do the job. This is where we lost the game. We kill those four minutes and we have the momentum.

Mario

Sorry but go back to your cookbook as you obviously don’t know about the rule that says NO HIT TO THE HEAD!!! A good clean check? no problem, there but a hit to head? not acceptable, especially when the league is trying to crack down on such hits!

Mario

Yup you’re definatly a Sharks fan, but trying to make you understand that there is no justification for a hit to the head is pointless…

Mark T

Welcome to this comments section. If you’d been here before you’d know that Jimbotronn is very clearly and Avs fan.

Mario

It sure didn’t look like it, he sounded more like a Shark fan defending his team.

Brad

There was some elbow in the hit, but he didn’t leave his feet or anything, Landy pretty much just got rocked. And lets not bring the O’Reilly helping the PK into the conversation of this game, I don’t recall any “O’Reilly could have helped” comments when we killed of 16 straight.

Oh, and the extra minor for instigating a fight with a visor on is an absolute joke.

Nick

The refs don’t owe Landeskog something just because he’s your team’s precious pretty boy Swedish Captain. As if the NHL is expected to baby Landeskog or something.

Wow Dater. You’re hilarious. How about we just put a skirt on Gabrielle while we’re at it?

The Youngest Captain in NHL history just got his bell rung because he was stupid and put himself in a dangerous position coming into an offensive zone. Stuart saw a clean opportunity to derail that and gave Gabrielle a nice “welcome to my office.”

How about asking yourself why Bordeleau was being allowed to charge at Shark players from 40 feet out and board them from behind at least 3 times during the course of the game?

Jim

No, the refs don’t owe Landeskog anything. In fact the only ones “owed” anything are the Colorado Avalanche fans. What they are “owed” is ownership that realizes it needs to spend some money on getting better players on the ice. First, sign O’Reilly….I mean we are dickering over what…a million a year maybe? Pathetic!!! Secondly, get some damn enforcers on the team who can send a message to the other teams that taking runs on our young talent is not going to go unnoticed. McCleod might be a scrapper but nobody is intimidated by him let’s be honest. Third, get a new coach ffs….Sucko has not done a single thing to deserve to keep his position. This franchise is quickly becoming a joke around the league and it all starts with the tightwad ownership!

DieHardAvs

Excellent post Jim and right on. We are being distracted from the obvious. The Avs management has once again put a mediocre product on the ice…with a Beer League hockey coach. That’s the real issue here. The hit on Landy was one thing, the response from the team was another. I am actually embarrassed to be an Avs fan this morning.

Ab

Thanks for insulting females with your ignorant comment. “Gabrielle” and skirt?? Come on, use your intelligence and find a more creative, less offensive way to express your opinion on the hit.

Puck Me Up

Actually, I think we should put a skirt on YOU Nick for making one of the dumbest comments I’ve read in a while.

If you don’t like the Avs or Landy, than that’s one thing. But to spout off nonsense like that is just plain immature and you deserve a spanking for it.

Stuart hit Landy in the head with an elbow-plain and simple. For that, he needs to get suspended and fined. It shouldn’t have anything to do with with whether or not a player is severely concussed or not, or if a player is able to walk off the ice on his own. Most of us respond differently to injuries anyway so that’s not something anyone can gauge at 100%. If the NHL expects any player to follow the rules, than they have to be consistent in enforcing the rules for everyone across the board. So if the rule says no shots to the head, than they need to take a stand on that rule and not make it solely contingent upon the aftermath of the illegal hit.

If there is no consequence for this hit, than B.S. needs to be removed from his position and the NHL needs to hire someone who will enforce this rule. If Landy did this to an opposing player, I would be saying the same damn thing. It’s not ok, I don’t care how you justify it.

Mario

So after reading your post i can only come to the conclusion that you think it’s fair game to hit a guy in the head? Pathetic…

http://www.facebook.com/Duarte33 Duarte Teixeira

I hate articles like this because the majority of the respondents will obviously say it was because the support the players team in particular whose site this is posted on. But that being said biased or not whether I was an AVS fan or not I would say the hit wasn’t intentionally dirty but at the end of the day should have been called regardless of what player or team it happened against. That was a clear forearm/elbow to the head 1 second after he passed the puck so the refs should have caught it. I was dumbfounded when at the end of it we were one man down for 4 mins. The only positives I took out of this game is jiggy coming in cold and still stopped 17 shots against him in one period, and landy seemed to be ok. Everything else was a complete disaster. Don Cherry love em or hate em has a fantastic point about the instagator rule. Its ridiculous that just because a player is wearing a visor or not while defending a teammate is wearing a visor or not and it warrants an extra 2. O byrnes instigator penalty was horseshit.I would of gladly taken a 1 goal deficit on the PK after a player stands up for a player on his team after a hit to the head like that. That’s one of the rare “good penalties” to take. But an extra two for wearing a visor is ridiculous. Jiggy vs edmonton next, Im excited to see how the avs respond. But scared about how Landy will be as we all know sometimes it takes a few days for concussion symptoms to set in.

Jo from NYC

Zanon (under 6 feet), Hunwick ( Same) killing penalties together against towering Thornton and Marleau. No wonder they got smoked. This is a game where O’Brian should have played.

Kick

Finally an interesting post about the GAME, and I agree. They keep trying to have another J.M. Liles on the team and it’s not working. When were Liles’ best seasons? When he played with Rob Blake…
Why…oh WHY is O’Brien not playing?????

DieHardAvs

Hey AD. Is saw the game too. Was in the Bay Area. Saw a couple of retro Avs sweaters but not many of us there.

I was across the ice and thought it was a clean hit at the time. Landy bounced right up and off, then he skated off I saw him stumble so I thought it was a knee, I was SO happy to see him come back on!

After watching the video a couple of time I am still of the opinion it was a good hockey hit. It doesn’t look to me like Stuart targeted his head. I don’t feel he will be suspended. Stuart had some other decent hits in the game too.

Is this Sharks team really as strong as they looked yesterday, and their first four games, or are the Avs that bad? To be honest it looked like an AHL team vs an NHL team.

What bothered me most was the Avs response or lack of it for both Landy and O’Byrne. They had not tenacity on the power play, left Marleu, who is a scoring machine right now all alone in front of the new not one but twice!

And I don’t think I have ever seen a worse Avs defensive pairing than Zanon and Hunwick in Avs history.

Chantal

Great post DieHardAvs. Nice to see you can put aside your allegiance and post something smart.

We’ve got to look at things the way they were. The Avalanche was completely outplayed and looked like a junior team.

Chantal

Thanks DieHardAvs for your great post. Nice to see that you can put your allegiance aside and say things the way they are.

You’re so right about the Avs performance. They looked so weak compared to the Sharks and, at times, it felt like it was a pond game but with one team much stronger than the other.

Mario

Wait did i say cookbook? i meant NHL rulebook, so you can familiarize yourself with the rules of the game maybe? you do know that the NHL is trying to cut down on hits to head right? Right?

Mario

The issue here is regardless that the hit was clean or bad, he did hit Landy in the head, which at the very least should have resulted in a minor to Stuart. Geez, has everybody forgotten already that the league is trying to cut down on hits to the head?

Guest

48.1 Illegal Check to the Head – A hit resulting in contact with
an opponent’s head where the head is targeted and the principal point of
contact is not permitted. However, in determining whether such a hit
should have been permitted, the circumstances of the hit, including
whether the opponent put himself in a vulnerable position immediately
prior to or simultaneously with the hit or the head contact on an
otherwise legal body check was avoidable, can be considered.

Mario

You’re making my point for me, so?
Let’s consider this…

1) Landy is moving the puck, is head is not down.
2) Stuart’s feet leaves the ice when making contact.

Chantal

It was a clean hit. End of the story.

The fact of the matter is that the Avalanche didn’t show up and as soon as they face one bit of adversity, they’re done. Once that hit occured, most Avalanche players disappeared and could have had eggs in their pants and not even break them. Show fighting spirit for God’s sake. This team has no commitment whatsoever.

Jimbotronn

I think the Avs showed up, the first 8-10 minutes were all Avs. But they gave a ton of PP time to a team with a red-hot PP, and were down 2-0 in the blink of an eye.

I actually don’t think the Avs played all that poorly, I just think they got a bit rattled and a very good and experienced team took quick and decisive advantage of that. I think the Avs have to lose games like this to gain that experience.

DieHardAvs

Dumb comment Jimbo…really dumb

Jimbotronn

Would you care to elaborate?

EnzoSin

Jimbo is one of those that is content with mediocrity, little does he know, mediocrity doesn’t win championships. You’ll get used to his gooble garble as time goes on.

Jimbotronn

Mediocrity can mature into a winner, if you let it. I happen to enjoy watching that process as well, it makes the championships that much more meaningful.

poooop

“red-hot PP” hahahahah

Jimbotronn

The Avs couldn’t touch the Sharks on the PP

poooop

Please tell me you see the thinly veiled innuendo in these statements.

Jimbotronn

Innuendo? All I know is that the Sharks had an amazing PP last night, just a beautiful PP. They scored with it almost every time!

Oh, I think he’s definitely immature enough. Must be the second one then.

Mario

Oh i got a sense of humour alright, but i don’t see what’s so funny about a guy getting hit in the head, especially when Gary Bettman himself said that the league would look into more severe punishment for hits to the head.

LR

says the dude who made a Luigi comment to Mr. Mario.

Mario

Like i said, cookbook my dear, cookbook…

Mark T

Totally uncalled for. No need for comments like these.

Mario

My comment toward this lady was regarding her comment to Mr.Paul

“I disagree with you. There was nothing wrong with Stuart’s hit. Landy had his head down and he got caught. He will learn from this.”

There is no lesson to be learned from getting hit in the head for any reason whatsoever, regardless if it’s a clean hit or not. Hitting the head is UNJUSTIFIABLE, especially after the league keeps shoving down our throats that they’ll do everything to prevent head injuries.

Ramon

Dirty hit and absolute intentional, no question about it. The sharks did want to hurt Landeskog from the start of the game.

At least this f***ing ex dead wing had to pay for it! ROB should have concussed him, too.

Did someone hear the sharks announcers statement about this hit? What a pathetic bunch of a**holes! Holy crap! I hate the sharks.

Mario

Given the bad blood between the AVS and the Wings you really think Shannahan (himself a former Wings) will dish out a suspension to Stuart a former Wings? Yeah right, sure…

Jimbotronn

Something tells me that Shanahan isn’t as immature about the Avs/Wings rivalry as some of the fans apparently are.

Mario

You’re calling me immature? i’m probably older than you kid, so don’t push your luck Sharky fan…You do know that the league keeps telling its fans that they will do everything they can to redeuce the amount of hits to the head? right? can you at least agree on that? that it was a hit to the head that the refs on the ice didn’t call?

Mark T

In my experience people on the internet who feel the need to claim they’re older than someone usually aren’t.

LR

Now you’re just trying to start fights with the guy. Leave it alone.

Jimbotronn

If you followed this thread, you’d see he’s been trying to start fights with me. I have no idea what his problem is, but I’ve tried to handle things politely.

Mario

I’ve got no problem with you other than the fact that you seem to go out of your way to defend Stuart on a head hit…and i didn’t start any fights with anybody except in your mind. If i recall correctly you claimed that i’m “immature” instead of just simply disagreeing with my comment. Don’t start a war dude, it’s not worth it…

19knight21

Yeah it was a very tough well timed hit though. Border line but if #92 dished that out we all would be so proud of him. Just not sure if this coach is equipped to handle NHL success anymore . Lets sign #37 to 5 yr deal at 21 million or so …

Smell the Glove

I happen to think by the current interpretation of the rules, that was not a legal hit. I think Stuart should have discipline coming, given the precedent already set to establish protection to players for hits to the head.

That said, I don’t personally have any problem with the hit. I thought it was clean enough.

Jimbotronn

You may be right, discipline may be coming, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it didn’t. Compare this hit to the last big hit Landy received entering the zone with his head down, when that seven-foot Oiler flattened him last season. Can’t recall the guy’s name, but on that one it seemed obvious that the guy targeted Landeskog’s head and it was clearly an illegal hit worthy of a suspension. I think he got 3 games for it.

This one, I think the intent to target the head is far less obvious and so I’m not entirely sure it will be ruled an illegal hit. The rule in question does take into account the position of the guy receiving the hit, and in this case if Landeskog wasn’t leaning forward a bit, that shoulder goes right into his chest. It’s borderline, but I’m guessing there will be enough adding up in Stuart’s favor (no elbow, skates on the ice, Landy not entirely aware, no repeat offender for Stuart) that he gets no disciplinary action. I see what people are saying about Stuart launching himself a bit as he hits him, but I think that’s just the natural thing people do when they’re colliding… you move your body up rather than down to protect yourself. Ironically, if Landy had done that also, we’d have no problem.

I just hope Landeskog is OK and remains a bit more aware out there. I like hits like that, as long as everybody comes out of it OK.

Smell the Glove

I would not categorize it as a dirty hit, and Landy wasn’t injured, so I’d b surprised if Stuart was suspended. I guess a single game could be reasonable if the league has ever had to discuss hits with him in the past. I’d say a fine was more likely or more fitting under the circumstance.

Now where we disagree is I do see more elbow in that hit. Not “targeting” with an elbow but I think it’s involved to some degree. And intentional or not I believe the rules say you have to be in control of your body.

Jimbotronn

I guess a clarification of terms is in order here… I clearly saw Stuart’s elbow make contact with Landeskog’s head, but he did not lead with it or hit him with an extended elbow, and my understanding of the rule is that the extended elbow is the key factor. At the moment of impact it seems that Stuart’s elbow was pretty much tucked in, and didn’t come into play until the follow-through. That’s why I’m saying there was no elbow… not because Stuart’s elbow never made contact with Landy at all, but because there was no elbowing by definition of the rule. That’s why I’m not even too upset that no penalty was called on the ice: I’m not sure there was one.

I think you and I pretty much agree here and are just arguing semantics. Which I also enjoy.

Smell the Glove

Well there you go, I think we’re on the same page, which unfortunately is going to take all the fun out of it.

DieHardAvs

Hey Glove. That beer looking mighty good. Avs were pathetic yesterday. Care to keep drinking the Kroneke Kool Aide? Do you remember when the Avs played like the Sharks did last night? When Blake and Foote were dishing out hits like Stuart did on Landy. Or was that before your time? A time when this organization did what ever it too to win.

Mark T

That was also a time when you could just spend a bunch of money to assemble a great team. Now you need to draft well and develop your own core of players. If the Avs spent all their money on free agents, they would not be able to give their young guys enough playing time to develop, and they would be unable to re-sign their young stars because they’d be wasting all their cap space on free agents.
Like it or not the Avs are in the heart of a rebuilding stage. It’s going to take time before they can consistently compete with a team like the Sharks (who are incredibly hot right now, btw).

DieHardAvs

LOL! Glove I love that you are such a homer! The Avs really need fans like you who buy into their BS vs us who try and hold them accountable. Can’t buy players anymore? Really? The Wild didn’t “buy” Parese and Sutter? The Rangers didn;t buy Nash? The Kings didn’t buy Richards and Andrews? Your statement is nuts…and the Avs are always $10M to $15M under they cap. Can’t they at least buy Factor. LOL.Can you justify this?
You also say the Avs are “rebuilding”…really? How many years will that take and rebuilding from what? Seems to me we have been hearing that re-building line for about 8 years now. Who exactly are they rebuilding around? They trade Shatterkirk, Stewart, Flieschman, Gally, Winnick, Varbata, Richardson, Muller, Lyles, Clark and Burnett. But we keep Stasny, McCloud, Milan, Jones and Johnson to build around. Your attitude about winning would be pathetic if it wasn’t so funny.
I’ll bet you are the parent that promotes no score keeping or strikeouts in little league…you know “its not about winning and losing…it’s how you play the game…hahahahahahahahahahah!

Smell the Glove

OK

Mario

Hey Jimbo, would you do us a favor and get out of your fantasy world? The league is trying to crack down on hits to the head and you’re desperatly trying to justify no penalty or suspension is required simply because Landy walked it off? let me make it clear for you A HIT TO THE HEAD IS UNJUSTIFIABLE OK?

Jimbotronn

I’d like you to point out where I said that it is no problem because Landy walked it off. I said that Stuart likely wouldn’t receive penalty or suspension because it was a shoulder check on a guy with his head down… the rule takes into account the position of the player being hit, and even if there’s contact to the head the league is going to also consider whether the head was targeted, or merely contacted in the act of a clean hit.

Mario

Wait, for a few hours now, people have been saying it was a hit to the head with is elbow and now you’re saying Stuart hit him with his shoulder? make up your mind kid, regardless it was a hit to the head, there should have been a penalty, no question about it.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=16906215 Grant Reuter

A hit to the head is different than getting hit in the head. Intent matters, just because a person ends up getting hit in the head doesn’t mean the head was being targeted, and I really don’t think that should be a penalty. But then again, I have no problem with big hits and normally err of the side of most players aren’t trying to hurt someone, they are just playing hockey. I’m also tired of every time there is a big hit someone has to get in a fight. But I guess this is the “new” NHL, which is getting really annoying to watch at times.

Mario

So you agree that contact was made to the head but don’t believe that at the very least, a penalty should have been given to Stuart simply because Landy walked it off? So if i follow your stupid reasoning a penalty for a hit to the head should be given only if the guy doesn’t get up or possibly, taken out of the ice on a gurney? wow…just wow…

Smell the Glove

If you read my first post in this thread, the first sentence I said I don’t believe it was legal. So no, you don’t follow my stupid reasoning at all.

Colorado Gary

I agree Smeller.

Rycroft broke the hit down on the “telestrator” after the game. As Stuart approached Landy his legs were bent in a crouch. As he hit him and drove through him his legs fully extended and I think there might have been a leetle bit of daylight visible under his skates. And a player rarely targets someone’s shoulder with an elbow – and the elbow did come up at the end and did make contact with Landy’s head, so I believe it’s a suspend-able hit – that is if the league is really serious about deterring this type of thing.

As for a suspension, you’ve got to ask yourself a few questions:

a) Is your name Crosby?

b) Would the elite eastern media think you’re an “in” team?

(a good barometer of how the league office views teams and transgressions against them)

But . . . I think Landy is viewed very favorably by the league because he’s a Swede who is quite “Canadian” and a Calder Trophy winner. So… maybe the league suspends Stuart for the hit.

The wild card in all this? Stuart is a former Red Wing so maybe all bets are off. But it’s probably silly to think there are any biases or politics involved in disciplinary decisions, right?

As for the game, the loss won’t bother me that much if the Avs bounce back with strong performances the remainder of the road trip. If you’re going to lose one of the games, the Sharks are a pretty good team and who remembers later if it was 4-0 or a one-goal loss.

The Landy hit totally discombobulated the Avs, seeming to neuter them of any physical play, and by the time they were down 3-0, I think the team went into conservation mode, resting up for the next three games on the trip and trying to avoid further injury.

Kudos to O’Byrne for sticking up for his Captain, good penalty but the extra 2 for the visor was pretty ticky-tacky.

Hey, even after a dismal performance over the last 2 periods, if those 2 post ringers go in it’s a different game.

Go Avs!

Mario

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a hockey expert among us, bow down to his supreme knowledge of the game…Some people will never learn…

Jimbotronn

What’s your problem? Luigi leave you for another plumber?

Mario

Ah, heard that one before and you’re calling me immature? keep it up kiddo!

Mark T

I would have given Stuart 2 minutes for elbowing and left it at that. No fine or suspension.

DieHardAvs

To the Shark fan trollers here. Let me offer you our apologies for putting such a crap hockey team on the ice to play you yesterday. Take solace in the fact you get to beat the snot out of them 2 more times.

DieHardAvs

To you Shark fan trollers. My apologies for putting such a poor hockey team on the ice to play the Sharks yesterday, it really is quite embarrassing . Also for the cry babies on this blog for not stating the obvious; Landy put HIMSELF in a bad position and Stuart made a correct hockey play. As Avs fans we were happy O’Bryne kicked the stuffing out of him though, penalties or not. Good news for all of you. You get to beat the Avs 2 more times!

Mario

A correct hockey play? Are you crazy? It’s okay for a hit to the head of another player? UNBELIEVABLE!!!

Whatever. Landy will learn and deliver far more hits than he takes. O’Bryne stood up for him which is great. Problem is personnel. When Kobesew and Hunwick are killing penalties against a red hot PP, the Avs are screwed. Depth—we have little. And if Mcginn’s linemates played half as hard as he does, they might actually get a sniff at the net.

lordstanley01

Stuart must have learned that hitting style from Kronwall. The hit was sorta high and he kinda almost left his feet. It was dirty enough to deserve a review but clean enough to be legal. O’Byrne did the right thing to stand up for his young captain and the ref called penalties by the letter of the law.

The only real fail was the Avs penalty killing, as usual. They needed to kill that double-minor for their teammate and failed on both halves.

Jimbotronn

Good description: “dirty enough to deserve review, clean enough to be legal.” Frankly, I’d like to see more of exactly that sort of play from the Avs. Wilson’s the only one I can think of who really dishes them out like that, though.

pascalp

The league will review the hit but will not punish Stuart because Landeskog was not seriously injured !!!! What is this league ? Head was the primary point of contact and Stuart’s excuse of I thought he would put his head up is pathetic. Stuart should have been punished during the game for this hit and should get a suspension for that. It is fortunate that Landeskog was not seriously injured but it does not change the fact that a direct hit to the head has to be severely punished.

Mario

Yeah i agree 100% with you but there are some people like Jimbo here who seem to think it’s okay to hit a guy in the head.

Gregg

What a bunch of crybabies. If Ryan Wilson had laid out a Sharks player in this fashion, you’d be bragging about it. Avs fans are the biggest hypocrites I’ve ever seen. I seem to remember Cody McLeod ramming Jared Spurgeon of the Wild from behind head first into the boards last season and there was no suspension at all. And all of you defended McLeod to the teeth that the other player put himself in harm’s way on his own. What a joke you all are.

Mario

Thank you, but the joke is on you if you think a hit to the head is acceptable!

Terry Frei graduated from Wheat Ridge High School in the Denver area and has degrees in history and journalism from the University of Colorado-Boulder. He worked for the Rocky Mountain News while attending CU and joined the Post staff after graduation. He has also worked at the Oregonian in Portland, Ore., and The Sporting News. His seventh book, March 1939: Before the Madness, was issued in February 2014.

Chambers covers college and professional hockey for The Denver Post. He has written for the Post since 1994, after dumping his first 9-to-5 office job a couple years out of college. He primarily follows the University of Denver hockey team and helps cover the Avalanche.